Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been a writer in some form or fashion for decades now. I grew up in the small East Texas town of Lindale. After college, with a dream of “going to Hollywood”, I moved to Chicago (I’ve never been good with directions). It was there that I started writing scripts at night while working in advertising during the day. I eventually moved to upstate New York (again… bad with directions) and had a few of my screenplays produced. I also started ghostwriting and, through that, developed an itch to write my own fiction. I recently published my first book, COMBUSTIBLE.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
COMBUSTIBLE is my first and only book (so far). It will be the first of a series of Sam Lawson Mysteries. I’ve always loved mysteries and am a true crime podcast addict. While talking to my girlfriend about a scandalous murder in her hometown, I got the idea for my book. With her story as a launching pad, I started asking “but what if?” over and over. It eventually landed me at a place unrecognizably far away from the original story.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I’m big on outlining. Probably half of my writing time is detailed outlining. Because I write mysteries, many times I work backward from the end. And then I start poking holes in everything. I also go through the entire book from each character’s point of view. This helps keep me honest. The story serves the characters instead of the other way around. It’s also the most fun part of the writing process for me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the taut, hard-to-put-down style of James Patterson – short chapters, but each one ends with just enough of a hook to make you want to read the next chapter. And the next.
I love the characters of Elmore Leonard and the humor of Carl Hiaasen and Christopher Moore. There are so many more but these authors come to mind immediately.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on the second book of Sam Lawson Mystery series. I’m still in the outline phase but it’s getting tight enough where I’ll soon start writing the first draft.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
COMBUSTIBLE is my first book so the whole promotion arm of it is new to me. Ironic because I’ve worked in advertising most of my adult life. So far, I’ve experimented with Facebook Ads and Amazon Sponsored Ads and, of course, the Awesome Gang site.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it. Just write. Don’t worry about making it perfect. Don’t worry about if it will sell and how you’ll publish it. Just get out your first draft and make peace with the fact that it’s not going to be good. It’s not supposed to be. The first draft is like building the framework for a house. No one would ever expect to move into the framework. But you can’t build the house until it’s done.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Pretty much the same as my advice. Ha ha It was good advice, so I passed it along. Another bit of advice given to me was “make the time.” Life is not likely to GIVE you enough time to write. You have to take it or make it.
What are you reading now?
I’m actually about to take a much-needed vacation and am looking for a couple of books to take with me. One that I’m excited to read is Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to get my next book finished by the end of the year. And I’ve already got the general idea for the book after that. In fact, I’ve got my next four books planned out. I just need to get busy writing!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“Jitterbug Perfume” by Tom Robbins. My all time favorite book.
“And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie.
“The House Next Door” by James Patterson (it’s three books in one)
And if “How to Survive If You’re Stranded On a Desert Island” exists, that would probably be a smart one to have.
Author Websites and Profiles
David K. Wilson Website
David K. Wilson Amazon Profile
David K. Wilson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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